A Hero Sheriff, a Cold Case, and a Tragic Truth About His Wife's Death

Tennessee authorities have concluded that Buford Pusser, a celebrated sheriff who inspired the 1973 film Walking Tall, likely murdered his wife in 1967 and later fabricated a story suggesting she was killed by his enemies. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), in a 2022 review of cold cases, reexamined the decades-old files surrounding the death of Pauline Mullins Pusser. After analyzing inconsistencies in Pusser’s account, forensic evidence, and newly discovered information—including potential evidence of domestic violence—the investigation concluded there was sufficient cause to believe Pauline was killed by her husband [1].

Mark Davidson, district attorney for Tennessee’s 25th judicial district, stated that if Pusser were alive today, prosecutors would have pursued an indictment. Pauline’s autopsy, which was conducted following the recent exhumation of her body, revealed injuries inconsistent with the sheriff’s narrative. Dr. Michael Revelle, an expert in emergency medicine and medical examination, found that Pauline was likely shot outside the car before being placed inside. The evidence, including blood spatter on the vehicle and cranial trauma, contradicted Pusser’s claim that he was attacked while in the car [1].

The incident occurred on August 12, 1967, when Pusser reported that his wife had volunteered to accompany him on a call. Shortly after passing a church, Pusser claimed that another vehicle opened fire, killing Pauline and seriously injuring him. However, investigators found the sheriff’s account to be unreliable. Revelle noted that Pusser’s gunshot wound to the cheek was a close-range injury, inconsistent with the long-range shooting he described. Additionally, evidence suggested the injury could have been self-inflicted [1].

Pauline’s brother, Griffon Mullins, welcomed the findings as a source of long-awaited closure. He described his sister as a kind and approachable person who was respected in their family. While he acknowledged there were signs of marital strain, he was not entirely surprised by the conclusion. “She wasn’t one to talk about her problems,” he said, adding that he was grateful for the investigation’s outcome [1].

The TBI has taken steps to ensure the public can access the full case file, which spans more than 1,000 pages. The records will be transferred to the University of Tennessee at Martin after redactions, where they will be made available online. For now, the public can review the documents in person or request copies [1].

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